Trip report - Øland 2002 UK

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Öland Expedition 2002

Friday, april 26th
Dansk

The final expedition day began grey, misty and with quite some wind. After a brief discussion of what to do we decided to take the chance and steam towards the SS "Nicomedia" for the final two dives. If the weather turned out worse we would still be able to ditch the "Nicomedia" plan and go up north in the Kalmar Sound and do a fun dive on another wreck there. But as we got out in the open the weather cleared and the sea went all flat and calm. It looked like it was going to be a great day after all.

From our first visit we now had the correct DGPS mark on the wreck and it was no big deal to quickly locate it and get ready to dive. The first divers went in while the last nitrox tanks was prepared and filled. When the first team returned they told the rest of us that the ship was tied to the wreck on the same spot as on the first visit for some days ago. This made it very easy and convenient to carry on with our exploration of this massive wreck.

Anders Oestergaard end I spend our diving time in and around the engine room. The engine is huge and while lying on top of the engine in 30 meters of water it was possible to see the engine room 10 meters below of us. "Nicomedia"s size and possibilities is unbelievable and we easily spend our dive in the engine room alone without being bored.

After the allotted 20 minutes we began our ascent from our last dive on the largest wreck of the Uboat massakre. As we moved up the line we followed the wreck as it slowly disappeared below us. The diving part of the expedition had come to an end.

What now remained of the expedition was to return to Grönhögen harbour. During the 2 hour trip we stacked and packed the ship and made everything ready for the departure to Copenhagen. Back in Grönhögen we had a final chit chat and after the traditional expedition team photo we headed home for a good nights sleep.

Thanks to the diving team for a superb expedition and for believing that Öland was the place to explore this spring. Thanks guys, you did a great job making this expedition a succes !

(c) nolimitsdiving 2002

The final expedition day began grey, misty and with quite some wind. After a brief discussion of what to do we decided to take the chance and steam towards the SS "Nicomedia" for the final two dives. If the weather turned out worse we would still be able to ditch the "Nicomedia" plan and go up north in the Kalmar Sound and do a fun dive on another wreck there. But as we got out in the open the weather cleared and the sea went all flat and calm. It looked like it was going to be a great day after all. From our first visit we now had the correct DGPS mark on the wreck and it was no big deal to quickly locate it and get ready to dive. The first divers went in while the last nitrox tanks was prepared and filled. When the first team returned they told the rest of us that the ship was tied to the wreck on the same spot as on the first visit for some days ago. This made it very easy and convenient to carry on with our exploration of this massive wreck.
Anders Oestergaard end I spend our diving time in and around the engine room. The engine is huge and while lying on top of the engine in 30 meters of water it was possible to see the engine room 10 meters below of us. "Nicomedia"s size and possibilities is unbelievable and we easily spend our dive in the engine room alone without being bored. After the allotted 20 minutes we began our ascent from our last dive on the largest wreck of the Uboat massakre. As we moved up the line we followed the wreck as it slowly disappeared below us. The diving part of the expedition had come to an end.
What now remained of the expedition was to return to Grönhögen harbour. During the 2 hour trip we stacked and packed the ship and made everything ready for the departure to Copenhagen. Back in Grönhögen we had a final chit chat and after the traditional expedition team photo we headed home for a good nights sleep. Thanks to the diving team for a superb expedition and for believing that Öland was the place to explore this spring. Thanks guys, you did a great job making this expedition a succes !